Modifying Arch rc.conf file

Add nvidia to /etc/rc.conf MODULES section (not needed anymore if you run xorg and udev).
Needed for nvidia-legacy and kernel >=2.6.13!

If you would like to prevent having to reinstall the nvidia driver after kernel upgrades, add nvidia to your DAEMONS section as well.

Problems that might occur

Nvidia specific

Xorg7:
Please remove your old /usr/X11R6 dir it can cause trouble during installation.

If you experience slow 3D Performance have a look at
/usr/lib/libGL.so.1, /usr/lib/libGL.so, /usr/lib/GLcore.so.1
Perhaps they are wrong linked to mesa or something else.
Try reinstalling with pacman -S nvidia.

When you get this message when you try to start an openGL application (for example enemy-territory, or glxgears):

Error: Could not open /dev/nvidiactl because the permissions are too restrictive. Please see the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS section of /usr/share/doc/NVIDIA_GLX-1.0/README for steps to correct.

Add yourself to the video group using gpasswd -a yourusername video (don't forget to log out and back in).

Arch specific

GCC update:
You must compile the module with the compiler that was used for the kernel
else it may fail.
A simple pacman -S nvidia should do it, if not wait for a new kernel release and stay with old kernel and gcc.

Kernel update:
Kernel updates will require reinstalling the driver. A workaround is available.

Driver Config Tool

The new config tool for the nvidia-drivers is included called 'nvidia-settings'
You don't have to use it it's only a add-on!
For more information about the use, have a look at the following file:
/usr/share/doc/NVIDIA_GLX-1.0/nvidia-settings-user-guide.txt
Please install gtk2 with "pacman -S gtk2" in order to use this tool.

NOTE:
If you experience problems like crashing the X-Server while running the tool
you have to delete your .nvidia-settings-rc file in your home directory.

Known Issues

If you experience crashes, try to disable RenderAccel "true" option.

If you have nvidia installer complaining about different versions of gcc between the current one and the one used for compiling the kernel then see on how to install the traditional way but remember to export IGNORE_CC_MISMATCH=1